Garment or ironing press



NW. 6, 1934. i E. DAVIS 1,9?9362 GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed Aug. 14,- 1929 e Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS Nave 6, FiQZivL E. DAVIS 1,9?9,%Z

GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed Aug. 14, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 By Jill 2 @MK/W A TTORNEYS.

3934 E. DAVIS fi,979,96

GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed Aug. 14, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 A TTORNEY5,

Nov. 6, 1934, E. DAVIS 1,979,962

GARMENT 0R IRONING PRESS Original Filed Aug. 14, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

MMM 522%, m

A TTORNEYS Nov. 6, 1934. E DA wmsz GARMENT 0R IRONING PRESS Original Filed Aug. 14. 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I [NI EN TOR fi/M? W W1 A TTORNEY5" GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed Aug. 14, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 JNVENTOR.

A TTORNEYfj UNITE-D STATES PATENT orries 1,919,962 H GARMENT onmoume muss Ernest Davis, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to The Prosperity Company Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York A 7. Application August 14, 1929, Serial No. 335,794

Renewed August 10, 1933 13 Claims. (or. 68-9) This invention relates to pressing machines, the usual frame or yoke lever which is pivoted as garment, laundry or ironing presses which are at 6 to an upright 7 rising from the frame.

power actuated and provides a control mecha- The operating mechanism by which the press nism by which any degree of final pressure may, is opened and closed includes motor means hav- P 5 be obtained or varying degrees of final pressure ing a cylinder 8 in which is a piston 9 connected so may be obtained during the pressing operation through suitable motion transmitting mechanism as desired. For particular types of work, accuto the head 2. rate control of the final pressure is desirable. The motion transmitting mechanism may be The invention has for its object a particularly of any suitable form, size .or construction, and

10 simple, eflicient and sensitive control by which that here shown in addition to the lever 5 in- 55 graduated pressure or any degree of final prescludes toggle links 10 and llpivoted together at sure can be applied between the pressing elel3, and respectively at 14 and 15 to the rear arm ments, or jaws of the machine by the motor of the yoke lever 5 and to the base. of the frame 4.

means and also a control by which the machine The toggle link 11 has a forwardly extending 15 can be looked under any predetermined amount arm 16 which is pivoted at 1'1 to the rod 18 of 70 of pressure and if desired, the pressure dimmthe piston 9. The piston is single acting and ished any degree without opening the press. the press is opened, when the'pressure in the The invention consists in the novel features cylinder8isreleased, y countersprings 1 a and in the combinations and constructions here- The means for supplying iiuid pressure to the 20 inafter set forth and claimed. motor means and for regulating the pressure in -75 In describing this invention, reference is had to the motor means comprises valve mechamsm the accompanying drawings in which like chargenerally designa ed by the numeral 21. It comacters designate corresponding parts in all the prises generally a casing having' p h views. ber 22 therein,an-intake port 23 opening into I Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pressing ma'- the chamber 22, an outlet port 24 leading from 30 section.

chine embodying this invention. the chamber,. spring pressed, normally closed. Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating intake valve 25 controlling the intake port 23, a the motor, the control means therefor and the sprin p i rmfl 011511 Outlet ve 6 001 locking means, the latter two means being in trolling the outlet port 24 and operated in guides slotted to permit the passagerof air, a diaphragm Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view i ilar to 27 forming one side of the pressure chamber 22, other formof lacking a lever 28 fulcrumed between its ends at 29 on Figure 2 illustrating an means. the diaphragm and coasting at one end with the Figure 3 is a detailed fragmentary view showstem 30 and at its opposite end with stem 31 of 35 ing a portion of the operating mechanism of the intake and outlet valves 25 and 26 respective- 90 Figure 3' with parts broken away to show the ly, and an operating member 32 which compresses connection between the links. a spring 33 which acts on the diaphragm 27 with Figure 4 is a plan view of the treadle and lock a pressure equal to the amount of rre or lever shown in Figure 3. compression applied to the spring 33 by the op- Figure 5 is a view s ar to Figure 2 of anre-t th ou h he member 32. 95

other form of control and locking means with The member 32 is a lever pivoted at 34 and havmost of the parts being shown in section. ing an arm 35 in the form of a cap which presses Figures 6 and 7 are viewssimilar to Figure 2 against the stem 36 of an abutment 37 thrusting of two additional forms of locking means, these against one end of the spring 33. The spring 33 15 views also showing the essential parts in section. is interposed between this abutment 37 and an The-invention is applied to a conventional form abutment 38 which is carried by or presses against of garment and laundry or ironing press, which the central part of the diaphragm 27. The dieis actuated by a fluid pressure operated motor phragm 2'! is held at its margins at 39 within the means. casing 21. A suitable returning spring 40 acts on The cooperating pressing elements or jaws of the arm 35 of the operating member 32. 105

the machine or press here illustrated, are a buck The operating member 32 is actuated by a sin- 1 and a'head2 movable toward and from the buck. gle operator actuated con o dev ce, mem or The buck is mounted on a s table bracket or foot plate 41, this being shown as pivoted at 42 bolster 3, which in turn is mounted on a suitable to a fixed point, as a bracket 43, on the frame and supporting frame 4, the head 2 being carried by as pivoted tothe operating member 32 by a pinup By depressing the single control member or foot plate 41; the lever 32 will be actuated and comovercomes the pressure of the spring 33.

To apply more pressure, the operator depresses the foot plate 41 further, thus additionalalso be operphragm 27 is greater than the opposing pressure exerted by the spring 33 and the exhaust valve 26 opens to exhaust some of the air from the motor cylinder 8 until the air pressure upon the diaphragm 27 is again balanced by the spring 33;

between the jaws because of the decreased air der 8.

It will be noted therefore that the intakevalve 25 provides means to supply working fluid to the motor means. The outlet or exhaust valve 26 ing fluid above a degree of pressure determined by the compression of from the motor means. The pressure regulating or intake valve 25, and renders the pressure regulating means inoperative to open its exhaust pressure within the motor cylin-.

the spring 33 may exhaust I In the form shown in Figures 1 and is locked under any amount of port 24 by the manually operated valve.

A normally open locking valve 49 is contained in a casing 50 which is connected by a pipe 51 to the port 24. This valve is operated by a manual pipe 51, and valve casing 50.

1 Obviously, the any degree of pressure between minimum and maximum depending upon or determined by the amount the spring 33 is tensioned by the operatorand can be locked under any degree of pressure by closing the valve 49 by means of the handle press head can be locked under thereby are carried mitting the pedal of the teeth cally closed when ated positions and thereby locking the spring 33 of the valve 21 under difierent degrees of pres- ;sure depending upon or determined by the forceapplied by the operator to the foot plate 41.

This mechanical locking means comprises a pawl 61 pivoted on the axis 44 of the foot plate '41 and having its tooth 62 coacting with a stationary rack 63. The pawl 61 is in the form of an angle lever having one arm 64 pivoted at 65 to the arm 66 of a lever 6'7 pivoted at 68 to a de pending lug on the foot plate, the lever 6'7 having a head 69.

The lever 6'7 and parts operated thereby are located at one side of the foot plate with the head 69 located so as to be conveniently depressed by the foot.

by the foot plate 41, and the arms 64 and 66 of the pawl 61 and lever 6'7 respectively form a toggle to lock the pawl 61 in determined position in the rack 63 so that the spring 33- is locked in its operated position and hence the press is locked closed under a predetermined pressure. The operator after depressing the foot plate 41 actuates the lever 6'7 by stepping on the head '69 thereof. The movement of the lever .67 through the toggle arms 64' and 66 moves the pawl 61 into engagement with one of the teeth of the rack 63, the toggle arms 64 and 66 moving upwardly. The joint 65 of the toggle is a pin-and-slot to permit such folding of the toggle. The pawl 61 is held in engagement with the rack 63 by a spring '70 encircling a rod '71 slidably and pivotally mounted at its ends at '72 and '73 to the toggle arms 64 and 66. The points '72, and '73 are shoulders and the spring '70 is compressed between the shoulders. When the toggle is folded upwardly. the spring '70 thrusts in opposite directions against the pawl 61 and lever 6'7 and hence holds them in their operated positions.

If the operator wishes to apply further pressure he further depresses the foot plate 41 and, as the pawl 61, during this operation ratchets over a tooth of the rack 63, the pawl 61 and its arm 64 is returned by this movement to a position which moves the lever 67 to throw the toggle back to its initial position, so that the operator must again make a conscious efiort to lock the press closed? that is, he must operate the lever 67 by stepping on the head 69. Similarly the pressure between the pressing jaws may be decreased by releasing the ratchet locking means and per- 41 to rise and reengage the ratchet locking means in a tooth higher up on the rack 63.

To open the press, the operator merely steps on the foot plate 41 and thus returns the pawl 61 to its out position by the ratcheting action of the rack 68- on the pawl 61, and then removes his foot from the foot plate so that the spring 88 is free to react to its initial position, and hence permit the intake valve of the valve 21 to close and theexhaust valve 31 to open.

Normally, the toggle arms 64 and 66 are in a straight line, so that the spring '70 acts in a straight line when the toggle arms are in dead center position.

In Figure 5, the exhaust valve 49 is automatithe press is closed instead of The lever 67 and the parts operatedbeing manually closed as by the lever 52, Figure 2.

In Figure 5, the outlet port 24 of the regulating reducing and pop-ofi valve 21 is connected by a pipe 51 to'the valve casing 50 ofthe locking valve 49 and the valve 49 is operated by a diaphragmchamber 56 having a diaphragm 5'7 therein acting on a slidingstem 54 which acts on a lever 52 thrusting against the stem. 55 of the locking valve 49 The pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 56 is connected by a pipe '75 to a pipe '76 communicating with a casing '77 on the side of the cylinder 8 the casing having a port '78 opening into the cylinder and arranged to be uncovered when the piston approaches the end of its power stroke. Obviously, when the port '78 is uncovered by the piston, the air pressure will pass back from the cylinder 8 through the pipes '76, '75 to the diaphragm chamber 56 and operate the diaphragm 57 and move the same and hence lock the valve 49 closed. Also, obviously, depression of the foot plate 41 different distances, will cause different degrees of air pressure to flow from the chamber 22 of the valve 21 through the pipe 46* to the cylinder and hence apply difierent degrees of pressure to the press head.

The press is opened by exhausting the air from the diaphragm chamber 56 and hence permitting the valve 49 to open. This operation is eiiected by opening a normally closed, spring pressed, release valve 79 in a valve casing 80 which is connected by a pipe 81 to the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 56*, the valve '79 being operated by a means as a lever 82.

In Figure 6, the depression of the foot plate or treadle 41 actuates the operating member 32 to tension the spring 33 difierent amounts and the air pressure from the chamber 22 of the valve 21 flows through the pipe 83 to diaphragm chamber 84 having a check valve 85 This valve is carried by a diaphragm 86 in a chamber 84. The chamber 84 is connected at one side of the diaphragm 86 by a pipe 87 to the intake port 48 .01 the cylinder 8.

The press is locked under different degrees of pressure by a normally closed, spring pressed intake valve 88 in a casing 89, the intake end of which is connected by a pipe 90 to the pipe 8'7. A normally open exhaust valve 91 is also located in the casing 89 and connected to the intake valve 84, these being arranged the space between them therein.

there is an additional diaphragm 95 1 being open to the outer air through ventilator openings 96. The diaphragms are provided with metal buttons on heads cated centrally of the thrust against each other.

The valves-88 and 91 are bperated by means of a manual or lever 99 which through an intermediate lever 100 acts exhaust valve 91. After depressed, the press may sition by depressing the air to enter from the pipe valve casing 89, pipes 93 chamber 84 against the diaphragm 95, thus holding the check valve 85 closed so that the press is held under any predetermined degree of presthe foot plate 41 is be locked in closed'polever 99 permitting the 87 into the pipe 90,

sure, the valves 88 and 91 are locked in their operated positions by the action of a diaphragm 9'7 and 98 respectively lodiaphragms. The heads upon the stem 101 of the 4 and 94 to the diaphragm 102 'located in a diaphragm chamber 103', the pressure side of which is connected to the interior of the valve casing 89 by a. duct 104.

The diaphragm 102 acts upon a sliding stem 105 which thrusts against the intermediate lever 100. 3 v

The operator first depresses the pedal or foot plate 41 a predetermined amount depending upon the amount of pressure desired, so that, air passes from the feed line 45 to the pressure chamber 22, thence through the pipe 83, past the check valve 85 in the diaphragm chamber 84, thence through the pipe 87 to the cylinder 8 to actuate increase in the effort necessary to move the the piston therein and close the press under a degree of pressure depending upon the distance the foot plate 41 is depressed.

The operator then depresses the locking lever 99 to open the intake valve 88 and close the exhaust valve 91, so that air can pass from the pipe 87 through the pipe 90, valve casing 89, pipes 93, 94 to the diaphragm chamber 84 above the diaphragm 95 and hold closed the check valve and lock the press under a predetermined degree of pressure.

To open the press, the air is exhausted from the diaphragm chambers 103 and 84 above the diaphragm by opening a normally closed, spring pressed release valve '79 located in a casing 80 which is connected by a pipe 81to the pipes 93 and 94. The valve '79 is operated by a suitable trip lever 82.

'In Figure 7, provision is made for closing the head first under zero pressure, that is, so that the press head is in light contact with the work on the buck. The chamber 22 of the valve 21 is connected by the pipe 46 to the cylinder 8 and the pipe 46 on the cylinder is connected by a pipe 106 to a valve casing 107 having a normally closed, spring pressed relief valve 108 therein, the casing "107 having an outlet 109 to the outer air. The operating member 32 of the valve. 21 is connected by a link 110. to the foot plate or treadle 41 and this link has a spring 111 thereon located between two spring abutments 112 and 113, the spring abutment 11% being normally Spaced apart from a stop or shoulder 114 provided on the frame.

Initial depression of the foot plate or treadle 41 brings the abutment 112 against the stop 114 and compresses the spring 33 of the valve 21 suiiiciently to permit only enough air pressure to pass through the pipe 46 to the cylinder to bring thepress head of the machine down lightly on the work.

The purpose of the spring 111 is to enable the operator to feel a sudden increase in resistance after he has operated the treadle sufllciently far to supply working fluid to close the press under light pressure. When the abutment 112 strikes against the stop 114, further movement of the treadle member 41 will cause the spring 111 to compress and will thus cause a sudden treadle member 41 If the operator moves-the treadle 41' against this additional resistance the spring 33 of the valve, will be compressed sufficiently far to cause the valve to supply higher pressure than desirable for closing the press under light pressure.- However the relief valve 108 will permit the excess pressure toescaper The spring 33 is of no value when operating the valve to close the press under light pressure. e spring 33 is important in regulating the degree of heavy pressure applied by the pressing machine.

.the intak and the onduit 46 to the cylinder 8' until the diaphragm acting upon a sliding stem 112* which acts through a. rocker arm 113 upon the stem 114 of the check valve to lock it closed. The area of the diaphragm 110 is so great as compared with that of the valve 108 that when air at low pressure is admitted to the diaphragm chamber 111*, the diaphragm 110 will hold the valve 108 closed against the highest operating pressures which are used in the pipes 46 and 106. The pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 111 is connected by pipes 115 and 116 to the outlet port 24 of the valve 21 and this pipe 116 is closed in order to lock the valve 21* in its operated position by means, quite similar to that shown in Figure 2, consisting of a locking valve 49 in a casing 50 the valve being closed by a handle 52 which acts through lever arms 54 and 59 respectively upon'the stem of the valve 49 and on a sliding stem 58', the latter coasting with the diaphragm 57 in a diaphragm chamber 56 The pressure side of the diaphragm chamber is connected by a duct 60 to the interior of the casing 50 Thus to apply pressure heavier than zero pressure, the operator must lock the check valve 108 closed by operating the .lever 52 before he can apply different degrees take valve in the valve casing 22 and closing the exhaust valve which controls the flow of fluid through the outlet port 24*. Working fluid will then flow from the supply line 45 through valve, through the valve casing 22 pressure in the valve casing 22 balances-the pressure of the spring 33 and closes the intake valve. At this point the press will be closed under light pressure. If the operator should depress the treadle .too far, the air which would tend to close the press under more than the predetermined light pressure will escape through the pop-01f orsafety valve 108. If the operator should release the treadle after the press has been closed under light pressure, the air from the cylinder 8 will escape through conduit 46 valve casing 22 the exhaust valve in the port 24, conduit 116, and exhaust valve 49*.

If the exhaust valve 49 is closed at the same be locked under light pressure.

In order to obtain heavy pressure after the press has been closed under light pressure, the exhaust valve 49 is closed andthe treadle released; Working fluid will then flow from the cylinder e to the conduit 116 as described above and since the exhaust valve 49 is closed motive fluid will flow through the conduit 115*to operate the diaphragm 110 to lock the pop-off or safety valve 108 against opening. By then again depressing the treadle 41 any desired degree of heavy pressure may be obtained.

In order to release heavy pressure the exhaust valve 79 'is opened and the treadle held in its 15" light pressure position.

The press is opened completely as in Figure 5 elements, one of which is movable toward and I by a trip lever 82 ior opening a normally closed, from the other, motor means for actuating the spring pressed, release valve 19 in a valve casing movable element, control means for the motor which-casing is connected by a pipe 81 1 means, an operator operated member for control- 5 the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 56 ling the operation of the control means, said con- 8) and by completely releasing the treadle 41 trol means including valve means having a cas- In any form of my invention, obviously'gra ing with a pressure chamber therein connected ated pressure can be applied by merely depr to the motor and having an inlet and outlet and 1 8' f Pl di r nt stances and h r a normally closed spring pressed inlet valve in the 10 by tensioning or compressing the controlling inlet and a normally open, spring pressed valve in 85 spring of a valve different distances. the outlet and pressure operated means for op- WhatI claim is: posing the action of the springs of said spring 1. In a garment or laundry pressing machine, pressed valve, said pressure operated means incomprising in combination, cooperative pressing eluding resilient spring means and a member 15 elements, one of which is movable toward and operable by the operator-operated means difierfrom the other; operating mechanism for the em; distances to apply difierent tension, to said movable pressingelement including a fluid opresilient spring means and thus apply different erated motor; control means for the motor inpressures against the valve springs and hence eluding valve means having a spring pressed vary the amount of motive fluid delivered tothe acting with said spring and operable into dlfferto the pressing elements, and means for preventent positions to regulate the tension of said sprin ing exhaust through the outlet of the valve casing and apply different degrees of pressure to said and thereby locking the press closed. movable element oi the valve means which regu- 6. In a pressing machine, cooperating pressing 25 lates the supply of fluid to the motor; and means elements, one of which is movable toward and ior locking said operator actuated means in any from the other; fluid pressure operated motor one of its operated positions. means for actuating the movable element to close 2. In a pressing machine, cooperating pressing the press successively under light and heavy preselements, one of which is movable toward and sure; means for controllingthe flow of motive to from the other, motor means for actuating the fluid to the motor including a .casing having a movable element, control means for the motor pressure, chamber; inlet and outlet valves conmeans, an operator-operated member for connectedtosaid chamber; springs normally holding trolling the operation of the control means, said the inlet valve closed and the outlet valve open; control means including an element movable difan operator-operated member and resilient -35 ferent distances by the operator-operated memmeans operated thereby for operating the valves her to vary the actuation of the motor and the against their springs with a force dependent upon movable pressing element to deliver difierent the force applied by the operator to the operatordegrees of pressure, nd means for locking the operated member; means connecting the chamoperator-operated member in any one of a pluher to the motor; and means operated by the mo- 4i: rality or operated positions. tor when the press is closed under light pressure 3.'In a pressing machine, cooperating pressfor preventing exhaust past the outlet valve of ing elements, one of which is movable toward said chamber and thereby locking any desired and from theother, fluid pressure operated m0 amount of heavy pressure in said chamber, and tor means for actuating theimovable element,- hence locking the press closed under any desired 45 -means for controlling the flow oi motive fluid to amount of heavy pressure. the motor including a easing having a pressure 7. In a pressing machine, cooperating pressing chamber, inlet and outlet valves to said chamber, elements, one of which is movable toward and springs normally holding the inlet valve closed from the other; fluid pressure operated motor and the outlet valve open, an operator-operated means for actuating the movable element to close so member and resilient means operated thereby for the press successively under light and heavy presoperating the valves against their springs with a sure; means for controlling the flow or motive iorce dependent upon the force applied by the fluid to the motor including a casing having a operator to the operator-operated member, pressure chamber; inlet and outlet valves conmeans connecting the chamber to the motor, and nected to said chamber; springs normally holding 55-an operator-operated valve for preventing exthe inlet valve closed and the outlet valve ope hauSt past the outlet valve of said chamber and an operator-operated member and resilient means thereby locking any predetermined amount of operated thereby for operating the valves against pressure in said chamber and hence locking the their springs with a force dependent upon the press closed under any predetermined amount of force applied by the operator to the operatorto pressure. operated member; means connecting the cham- 4. In a pressing machine, cooperating pressing her to the motor; a safety valve connected to said elements, one of which is movable toward and connecting means for exhausting motive fluid from the other, fluid operated motor means for above apredetermined degree of pressure; lockactuating the movable element, control means for ing means for said safety valve connected to the 65 the motor means, an operator-op rated member exhaust valve of the pressure chamber and oper- 4 for controlling the operation of the control means, ated by the motive fluid escaping through said said control means including valve means havexhaust valve when the force appliedjto the opering a movable element operated by the operatorator-operated member is decreased; and an operoperated means different distances to vary the ator-operated normally open exhaust valve inthe means and hence vary th d gree of Pre su pmeans and the exhaust ,valve of the pressure plied to the pressing element, and means iol chamber for also controlling the operation of the locking the operator-operated means in any one safety valve locking means.

or a plurality of operated positions. 8. A garment or ironing press comprising, co-

in 5. In a pressing machin cooperating pressing operative pressing elements one of which-is mov- 15 2o movable element; operator actuated means 00- motor means and the degree of pressure applied 95 'ZC amount of motive fluid delivered to the motor connection between the safety valve locking 14 5 he other, operating mecharender the pressure re ating means operative. uding 11. A garment or ironing ress comprising,

means, and means to supply working fluid to the motor the working means, including operator-operated control rking fluid to means connected with the working fluid supply means through which ironing press'comprising, a. motor, operator-op- 95 ERNEST DAVIS. 

